The United States provided humanitarian relief to Pakistan shortly after July 29, 2010 flooding left hundreds reported dead and hundreds of thousands homeless. The first American military aircraft to fly into Pakistan with assistance was from the Minnesota Air National Guard. Thousands of Halal meals were delivered by a C-130H assigned to the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing from Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Aug. 1, 2010.” (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Christopher Boitz)
South Asia (August 11, 2010) – Crew Members of the 133rd Airlift Wing based in the Twin Cities, now deployed to Afghanistan, are assisting with international relief efforts in Pakistan following deadly flooding in the region that began on July 29, 2010. The first U.S. relief flight into Pakistan was on a 133rd Airlift Wing, Minnesota Air National Guard C-130H “Hercules”, filled with emergency relief supplies flown from Bagram, Afghanistan.
There have been a number of missions with Airmen from the 133rd Airlift Wing, who are currently deployed to Bagram Air Field in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, flying into Pakistan bringing supplies and equipment. A mission on August 8, 2010 brought food, cots, pumps, compressors, and other aid to the flood ravaged region.
“Americans expect their government to help people in dire need,” said U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Anne Patterson on August 8, “and we are doing just that. We will be doing all we can to support the Pakistan government’s relief efforts in the weeks ahead.”
In addition to the relief effort in Pakistan, Minnesota crews fly many other missions supporting operations in Southwest Asia. During the month of July 2010, Airmen deployed from the 109th Airlift Squadron in Minnesota assigned to the 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron in Afghanistan flew almost 400 sorties in C-130s, moving about five thousand troops and hauling over 1100 tons of supplies and equipment.
Fifteen of those missions in July were airdrops where crews fly the C-130 into remote areas and deliver food, ammunition and other critical supplies to American and Allied troops by parachute.
The 133rd Airlift Wing, based at the Minneapolis – St. Paul international airport, has over 200 men and women deployed around the world supporting U.S. operations. Most are in Afghanistan and Iraq, and they include C-130 aircrew members, maintenance, logistics, security, medical and other support Airmen.
More than 400 Airmen have deployed from the 133rd Airlift Wing throughout 2010.
Thirty Security Forces Squadron Airmen are in Iraq supporting draw down operations into next year. The 109th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron has 26 medical professionals in Southwest Asia, Germany and other locations, whose job is to fly with wounded service members from the battlefield to hospitals in Europe and the United States.
In 2009 the 133rd Airlift Wing deployed more than 700 Airmen to 16 countries in support of U. S. operations. Since September 11, 2001, the Wing has deployed over 4600 Airmen to locations around the world supporting overseas contingency operations.
The Twin Cities-based 133rd Airlift Wing is comprised of approximately 1,250 men and women who serve in support of state and national needs.
